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Health Documentation for Pet Travel
If you plan on traveling with your pet in the next few months, it’s never too early to look into applying for a travel certificate. For International Health Certificates including Hawaii and Puerto Rico, please give us 3-6 months advanced notice. For Interstate Health Certificates please give us at least 1-month advanced notice. Health Certificates can be very complicated and we want to make sure that your pet will be able to travel with you. Please also review the USDA Pet Travel Website for specific information on the place you are traveling to: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel
Acquiring Health & Travel Certificates
Travel/health certificates are legally necessary if you plan on traveling internationally with your pet. Unfortunately, if you do not have the proper paperwork, your pet will not be able to travel with you. We’d like to help you obtain this certificate so that does not happen! Dr. Taylor Doehrmann has USDA Accreditation and is qualified to complete International Health Certificates for clients traveling or relocating with their pets.
Avoid the stress and potential delay by applying for a travel certificate soon. A travel/health certificate is also essential to ensure your pet is healthy enough to travel for its safety, as well as other travelers’ safety. It’s important to remember that different diseases are prevalent in other parts of the world, and to discuss with your veterinarian about proper vaccines before you leave.
For your pet’s Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, we need to confirm if your pet is:
- Healthy to travel
- Disease-free
- Parasite-free
- Current on their vaccinations
We provide this checklist for reference.
Before you visit, we suggest checking travel regulations with the USDA to prepare. It is common for laws and regulations to change, so it’s even more important to be updated on the current expectations. It’s also helpful to check airline pet regulations before you fly. Some airlines are known to need travel/health certificates 10 days in advance. See the following link to determine what you need for your travel: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel
Being able to travel with a small pet is the best option, however, we understand this is sometimes not feasible. It’s also important to remember that when traveling with a larger pet, to book direct flights and also to see if there is a pressurized section of the cargo that will protect them from extreme temperatures.
What is a Health Certificate?
A health certificate, also known as a veterinary certificate or certificate of health, is an official document issued by a veterinarian. It confirms that your pet is healthy and fit for travel and complies with the health requirements of your destination. To provide a travel certificate for a particular pet, the veterinarian must perform an examination and be able to certify that,
- The pet is healthy enough for the trip
- The pet is not carrying any contagious diseases
- The pet is has been appropriately vaccinated
- The pet is old enough to travel safely
- The pet is a breed/species that is legally allowed in the destination
Please understand, if the veterinarian cannot sign off that all of the above items are true, then we cannot provide a health travel certificate. If your pet does not meet one of the above medical criteria, we can help by offering the appropriate vaccinations or treatment for any disease, and once we can be sure that it is addressed, then provide the travel certificate.
When is a Health Certificate Required?
- Domestic Travel: Many states or regions within a country may require a health certificate for pets traveling across state lines or to certain locations.
- International Travel: For international travel, a health certificate is almost always required. It must meet the specific health regulations of the destination country.
Obtaining a Health Certificate
Research: Every country has different requirements for entry- this may include vaccines, lab work, and/or medical treatments. There is no practical way for our doctors to know the specific requirements for each country. Therefore, it is imperative for you to contact the USDA or the consulate for your destination in order to confirm both the requirements for entry AND the timeline in which this needs to be done. The website below will help get you started in the process but is not a comprehensive list of all requirements: USDA website and Take a Pet From the United States to Another Country (Export) | Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
Quarantine: Some countries may require a quarantine period upon arrival. Research these rules well in advance to avoid surprises.
Endorsement: For some international destinations, the health certificate must be endorsed by a government agency, such as the USDA in the U.S. or an equivalent authority in other countries. Please be aware that it is your responsibility to confirm whether this needs to be done and to schedule your appointment enough in advance that this process can be completed before your travel date. Please note that once the health certificate has been completed by our accredited veterinarian, it is then sent to the USDA veterinarian for endorsement. Be sure to allow sufficient time for this process between the date of exam and travel date.
Timing: Health certificates are typically valid for a limited period depending on the destination.. Ensure that the certificate is issued within the time frame that is required by your destination to meet the validity requirements.
Scheduling Your Pet’s Health Certificate Exam
Checklist Completion: Fill out the travel information checklist. In order to ensure there is time to complete the entire pre-travel process we must have the checklist, rabies certificate and medical records sent to us a minimum of two weeks prior to when the appointment is needed.
Contact our Hospital: When you have completed the checklist and information, call us to schedule an appointment for the health certificate to be done.
Vaccination Records: You will need to email us your pet’s current vaccination record, including a rabies certificate which includes the serial number and manufacturer of their rabies vaccine. Please also provide your pet’s microchip number, type of microchip and date administered.
FedEX labels: Depending on the country of travel, the original USDA certificate may need to be returned to you via Federal Express. If this is the case, you will need to provide us with an electronic mailing label to submit to the USDA when we submit the health certificate.
Travel Details: You wil need to provide the specific destination address and the name of the person traveling with the pet. If your pet is returning with you to the US , there are new requirements as of August 1, 2024 for re-entry. Additional information can be found here: Bringing an Animal into the U.S. | Importation | CDC.
Pet Travel Tips
- Plan Ahead: Start the process early to ensure all requirements are met and the health certificate is issued in a timely manner.
- Stay Informed: Regulations can change, so double-check requirements with authorities before you travel.
Proper preparation and understanding of health certificate requirements can help ensure a smooth and hassle-free travel experience for you and your pet
Thank you for your participation in this process. Together we can make sure that your travel plans go smoothly and your pet gets to enjoy the trip along with you.
